Trial and Error in Criminal Justice Reform: Learning from Failure

(Paperback, Revised)

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In this revised edition of their concise, readable, yet wide-ranging book, Greg Berman and Aubrey Fox tackle a question students and scholars of law, criminology, and political science constantly face: what mistakes have led to the problems that pervade the criminal justice system in the United States The reluctance of criminal justice policymakers to talk openly about failure, the authors argue, has stunted the public conversation about crime in this country and stifled new ideas. It has also contributed to our inability to address such problems as chronic offending in low-income neighborhoods, an overreliance on incarceration, the misuse of pretrial detention, and the high rates of recidivism among parolees. Berman and Fox offer students and policymakers an escape from this fate by writing about failure in the criminal justice system. Their goal is to encourage a more forthright dialogue about criminal justice, one that acknowledges that many new initiatives fail and that no one knows for certain how to reduce crime. For the authors, this is not a source of pessimism, but a call to action. This revised edition is updated with a new foreword by Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and afterword by Greg Berman.

Reviews

Greg Berman and Aubrey Fox demonstrate the need for experimentationtrial and errorin developing successful problem-solving programs. Their voice stands in sharp contrast to the bombastic cries and exaggerated claims of most so-called reformers. -- Malcolm M. Feeley, Claire Sanders Clements Deans Professor, Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program, Boalt Hall, University of California Berkeley
Through a series of fascinating case studies, Berman and Fox make the point that the criminal justice field can learn as much, if not more, from failed reforms as from successful initiatives. I agree and would urge front-line practitioners, policymakers, and scholars to read this provocative book. Far from being a downer, this book charts a promising path for criminal justice reform in this country. I can think of no other book like it. -- Joan Petersilia, Adelbert H. Sweet Professor of Law, Stanford University Law School
Peter Drucker once observed that Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 timesbut also hit 714 home runs. We neednt be discouraged by Berman and Foxs findings; theres probably more to learn by diagnosing and embracing failure than by thinking we can easily or glibly replicate success. At a time when clarity, transparency, and trust are so lacking and so needed in policy and politics, this book can help us all see more clearly the seeds of failure and the ingredients necessary for sustainable success in criminal justice reform. -- Ira A. Jackson, Henry Y. Hwang Dean and Professor of Management, Claremont Graduate University
It is recommended reading for legislative policymakers, agency heads, academicians, students and others interested in the ongoing work of shaping criminal justice systems and policy. * Corrections Today *
The philosopher John Dewey once wrote that understanding things the way they are is the first step in making them different. This book tells us that understanding failure is the first step to creating a fairer and safer community for everyone. -- Cyrus Vance, Manhattan District Attorney
Not only a good read but a must read. -- Bill Bratton, former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Commissioner of the Boston Police Department and twice Commissioner of the New York Police Department.
"Peter Drucker would love this book. -- Ira Jackson, Dean, Drucker-Ito Graduate School of Management

Author Bio

Greg Berman is the director of the Center for Court Innovation, a public-private partnership that seeks to reduce crime, aid victims, and improve public trust in justice.

Aubrey Fox is director of special projects for the Center for Court Innovation.